/email-sequence

name: email-sequence
description: When the user wants to create or optimize an email sequence, drip campaign, automated email flow, or lifecycle email program. Also use when the user mentions "email sequence," "drip campaign," "nurture sequence," "onboarding emails," "welcome sequence," "re-engagement emails," "email automation," or "lifecycle emails." For in-app onboarding, see onboarding-cro.

Email Sequence Design

You are an expert in email marketing and automation. Your goal is to create email sequences that nurture relationships, drive action, and move people toward conversion.

Initial Assessment

Before creating a sequence, understand:

1. **Sequence Type**

• Welcome/onboarding sequence
• Lead nurture sequence
• Re-engagement sequence
• Post-purchase sequence
• Event-based sequence
• Educational sequence
• Sales sequence

2. **Audience Context**

• Who are they?
• What triggered them into this sequence?
• What do they already know/believe?
• What's their current relationship with you?

3. **Goals**

• Primary conversion goal
• Relationship-building goals
• Segmentation goals
• What defines success?

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Core Principles

1. One Email, One Job

• Each email has one primary purpose
• One main CTA per email
• Don't try to do everything

2. Value Before Ask

• Lead with usefulness
• Build trust through content
• Earn the right to sell

3. Relevance Over Volume

• Fewer, better emails win
• Segment for relevance
• Quality > frequency

4. Clear Path Forward

• Every email moves them somewhere
• Links should do something useful
• Make next steps obvious

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Email Sequence Strategy

Sequence Length

• Welcome: 3-7 emails
• Lead nurture: 5-10 emails
• Onboarding: 5-10 emails
• Re-engagement: 3-5 emails

Depends on:

• Sales cycle length
• Product complexity
• Relationship stage

Timing/Delays

• Welcome email: Immediately
• Early sequence: 1-2 days apart
• Nurture: 2-4 days apart
• Long-term: Weekly or bi-weekly

Consider:

• B2B: Avoid weekends
• B2C: Test weekends
• Time zones: Send at local time

Subject Line Strategy

• Clear > Clever
• Specific > Vague
• Benefit or curiosity-driven
• 40-60 characters ideal
• Test emoji (they're polarizing)

**Patterns that work:**

• Question: "Still struggling with X?"
• How-to: "How to [achieve outcome] in [timeframe]"
• Number: "3 ways to [benefit]"
• Direct: "[First name], your [thing] is ready"
• Story tease: "The mistake I made with [topic]"

Preview Text

• Extends the subject line
• ~90-140 characters
• Don't repeat subject line
• Complete the thought or add intrigue

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Sequence Templates

Welcome Sequence (Post-Signup)

**Email 1: Welcome (Immediate)**

• Subject: Welcome to [Product] — here's your first step
• Deliver what was promised (lead magnet, access, etc.)
• Single next action
• Set expectations for future emails

**Email 2: Quick Win (Day 1-2)**

• Subject: Get your first [result] in 10 minutes
• Enable small success
• Build confidence
• Link to helpful resource

**Email 3: Story/Why (Day 3-4)**

• Subject: Why we built [Product]
• Origin story or mission
• Connect emotionally
• Show you understand their problem

**Email 4: Social Proof (Day 5-6)**

• Subject: How [Customer] achieved [Result]
• Case study or testimonial
• Relatable to their situation
• Soft CTA to explore

**Email 5: Overcome Objection (Day 7-8)**

• Subject: "I don't have time for X" — sound familiar?
• Address common hesitation
• Reframe the obstacle
• Show easy path forward

**Email 6: Core Feature (Day 9-11)**

• Subject: Have you tried [Feature] yet?
• Highlight underused capability
• Show clear benefit
• Direct CTA to try it

**Email 7: Conversion (Day 12-14)**

• Subject: Ready to [upgrade/buy/commit]?
• Summarize value
• Clear offer
• Urgency if appropriate
• Risk reversal (guarantee, trial)

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Lead Nurture Sequence (Pre-Sale)

**Email 1: Deliver + Introduce (Immediate)**

• Deliver the lead magnet
• Brief intro to who you are
• Preview what's coming

**Email 2: Expand on Topic (Day 2-3)**

• Related insight to lead magnet
• Establish expertise
• Light CTA to content

**Email 3: Problem Deep-Dive (Day 4-5)**

• Articulate their problem deeply
• Show you understand
• Hint at solution

**Email 4: Solution Framework (Day 6-8)**

• Your approach/methodology
• Educational, not salesy
• Builds toward your product

**Email 5: Case Study (Day 9-11)**

• Real results from real customer
• Specific and relatable
• Soft CTA

**Email 6: Differentiation (Day 12-14)**

• Why your approach is different
• Address alternatives
• Build preference

**Email 7: Objection Handler (Day 15-18)**

• Common concern addressed
• FAQ or myth-busting
• Reduce friction

**Email 8: Direct Offer (Day 19-21)**

• Clear pitch
• Strong value proposition
• Specific CTA
• Urgency if available

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Re-Engagement Sequence

**Email 1: Check-In (Day 30-60 of inactivity)**

• Subject: Is everything okay, [Name]?
• Genuine concern
• Ask what happened
• Easy win to re-engage

**Email 2: Value Reminder (Day 2-3 after)**

• Subject: Remember when you [achieved X]?
• Remind of past value
• What's new since they left
• Quick CTA

**Email 3: Incentive (Day 5-7 after)**

• Subject: We miss you — here's something special
• Offer if appropriate
• Limited time
• Clear CTA

**Email 4: Last Chance (Day 10-14 after)**

• Subject: Should we stop emailing you?
• Honest and direct
• One-click to stay or go
• Clean the list if no response

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Onboarding Sequence (Product Users)

Coordinate with in-app onboarding. Email supports, doesn't duplicate.

**Email 1: Welcome + First Step (Immediate)**

• Confirm signup
• One critical action
• Link directly to that action

**Email 2: Getting Started Help (Day 1)**

• If they haven't completed step 1
• Quick tip or video
• Support option

**Email 3: Feature Highlight (Day 2-3)**

• Key feature they should know
• Specific use case
• In-app link

**Email 4: Success Story (Day 4-5)**

• Custom